October 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day. So, while I do not stutter, I know some awesome people who do, thus making it important to me to spend some time today doing my part to bring awareness to stuttering. Over the past two years, I have been involved in research projects for stuttering with one of my professors. When I began my speech-language pathology journey, pursuing stuttering as a potential area of study was not on my radar, but I have since fallen in love with knowing more about it, but more importantly, being an ally for those who stutter. Everyone has a story. Each story deserves to be told, and the person who tells their story should have the respect of having a captive listener. People who stutter are more than their stutter. Judging a person for stuttering is beyond unfair and does not make them any less worthy of being heard. I want to thank the Friends of Young People Who Stutter Association for hosting empowering conventions and teaching me lessons I will never forget. I learned how to listen. I learned how to be a better friend. I learned that remarkable strength, courage, and perseverance can prevail in a society that is not always understanding. As I continue in my studies, I am always looking for opportunities to learn and create a chain reaction to pass my learning on to others. I had the chance to attend a film screening for When I Stutter. I highly recommend taking the time to see the film if a screening comes to your area. It further solidified the notion that all stories are worth being told no matter what they sound like when they are told. I sat in a theater, surrounded by people who were willing to listen, and that is the highest level of respect I think we can give others. So, today and always, I will listen. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2018
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